A/N: This has been brewing in my head for a month or two. This is a lot of explaining in this first chapter, but a lot of things are left a little open. They’ll be explained in later chapters, I promise.

Oh, and today’s (March 20th) my birthday, so lots of reviews make a birthday girl giddy! ;)

And if you’re wondering, I’m 21! Whee!

Identity Crisis

Chapter 1: Dangerous Times

The world was falling apart. Hermione was sure of it. She sniffed as she made her way down the empty corridor. Dumbledore’s funeral had ended not long before. She couldn’t believe he was gone. The man that kept the wizarding world safe wasn’t there to do just that. It was becoming apparent that nothing was going to be the same. Voldemort would surely be stronger now that he was gone. She couldn’t stand to think that the one man that Dumbledore had done nothing but defend had been the one who would ultimately lead to his demise. She stopped in front of the gargoyle that had once been the entrance to Dumbledore’s office.

“Lemon Drops.” She whispered, and the gargoyle sprung to life, leading to a stone staircase. She ascended the stairs, not really thinking about where she was walking. When she arrived in front of the doorway, she knocked lightly. The door creaked open slowly and she entered. All of Dumbledore’s possessions remained in the room. Behind the desk, instead of the man with long white hair and a long white beard she longed to see there, was the only other professor she had ever trusted. Hermione sat down in one of the comfy chairs situated in front of the desk and looked at Professor McGonagall.

“Hello, Miss Granger.” She tried to smile. “Thank you for coming.”

Hermione nodded. “You wanted to see me Professor?”

“Yes, let’s get to the point.” She sighed. “As you know, dangerous times lie ahead.”

Hermione nodded slightly. With Dumbledore gone, everyone knew that things would be harder.

“Well, the Order has received some information.”

The Order being The Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization set up to act against Voldemort.

“Mr. Potter is in the most danger of all of us, but you, Miss Granger, are also in grave danger as well.”

“Professor?” Hermione was confused. Of course Harry was in danger. It was he, after all, that had been the reason Voldemort had lost power in the first place. But her? What had she done?

“Miss Granger, You-Know-Who is after Mr. Potter, and he will do whatever it takes to get to him. You happen to be one of Mr. Potter’s most trusted friends. We’ve received information that you are his next target.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped. “Me? But…”

“Not only are you a friend of Mr. Potter, but a Muggle-born. And I know you are well aware how most dark wizards feel about Muggle-borns. You-Know-Who is no different. We think he sees getting rid of you as killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.” Professor McGonagall took a deep breath. “He’d be hurting Mr. Potter by taking someone close to him, but also someone he’s not to fond of having around.”

Hermione couldn’t speak. She had lost the ability to make noise. She began shaking, as she was trying to hold back tears.

“The Order has given this deep thought, and we’ve all agreed you need to go into hiding. We’ve found a place for you to hide, but we are also arranging a name change as well.”

As if on cue, the fireplace shot out green flames, and a person landed rather harshly on the office floor. Hermione realized it was one of the Weasley twins.

“Ah, Mr. Weasley, thank you for coming.” Professor McGonagall nodded at him.

George stood up and brushed the soot off his clothes. “No problem, I came as soon as I could.” He smiled at Hermione.

Professor McGonagall gestured at the chair next to Hermione, where George plopped down. He put a hand on Hermione’s shoulder and winked at her, before turning his attention to his old Professor.

“Hermione, we’ve arranged for you to stay with the Mr. Weasley and his brother in their flat. Unfortunately, you will not be permitted to leave the flat for some time, until we know it’s completely safe. We don’t want you to be seen by the wrong person.”

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but no sound came out.

“This is for the best, I assure you. Mr. Weasley has promised to take care of you, and will get you anything you may need while you’re there. I’ve taken the liberty of having trunk sent there.”

George smiled at Hermione again. “Fred and I will make sure you’re taken care of ‘Mione, don’t worry.”

Hermione managed to give him a weak smile. This was a lot to take in. Somehow, her voice found her. “What about my parents, Professor?”

Professor McGonagall smiled. “We’ve arranged for them to be in hiding also. Remus and Moody will be keeping an eye on them.”

Hermione nodded. Having those two men watching her parents was a bit of a relief. They were both fantastic wizards, and knew what they were doing. The fireplace burst green flames again and Nymphadora Tonks stepped into the room.

“Wotcher, George, Hermione!” Tonks smiled at them. “Here Professor, Hermione’s identity has been taken care of.” She handed Professor McGonagall a folder.

“Excellent! Thank you Nymphadora.” Professor McGonagall opened the folder and went through the papers in it.

“Well Hermione, your new name will be Rhiannon Parker. This folder has all your information inside it. If you have any questions, Mr. Weasley can answer them for you.” She smiled at Hermione. “You should be off now, I’ll keep in touch with you, don’t worry.”

“We all will.” Tonks said with a smile.

George stood and offered a hand to Hermione. Hermione stood with him and they walked to the fireplace.

“I better go first, just in case.” He winked at her again and stepped into the fireplace. He disappeared in a flash of green flames.

Hermione took one last look around the office. She hoped Dumbledore was happy where he was, and prayed he’d help them out as much as he could from above. She gave a small smile to the two women in the room and took a handful of floo powder. Stepping into the fire she closed her eyes. “93 Diagon Ally!” This was to be the first day of her new life, not as Hermione Granger, but as Rhiannon Parker.